Apparatus for bottom closing paperboard containers



R. E. OHRN APPARATUS FOR BOTTOM CLOSING PAPERBOARD CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 15, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 N RN 9 R. E. OHRN April 14, 1953 APPARATUS FOR BOTTOM CLOSING PAPERBOARD CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 15, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w QM M Q H Mn Q 3 THHHH o k Flu-VIII. N\ Wm A, w H n H l l 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 14, 1953 R E OHRN APPARATUS FOR BOTTOM CLOSING PAPERBOARD CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 15. 1950 Patented Apr. 14, 1953 APPARATUS FOR BOTTOM CLOSING PAPERBOARD CONTAINERS Rudolph E. Ohrn, Rock Island, 111., assignor to Container Corporation of America, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application November 15, 1950, Serial No. 196,599

10 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the bottom closing of large paperboard containers which are adapted for the packaging of large and heavy articles, by the upward folding of bottom closure flaps of the container beneath an article without requiring lifting or tilting of the packaged article during the sealing operation, and to containers particularly adapted for bottom closing for use in such packaging.

The specific embodiment of the apparatus disclosed herein comprises a roller conveyor arrangement of four sections so constructed as to fold, or permit the folding of, both the inner and outer bottom closure flaps of a container beneath the article which it encloses, while the article and container are supported thereby solely from below for movement in a single horizontal plane, thus eliminating any need for lifting, tilting, or otherwise moving the article out of the plane. The apparatus disclosed is intended primarily for manual operation, but may readily be adapted to mechanical operation.

The method of this invention comprises the folding of the inner bottom flaps of the con-- The paperboard container of this invention is substantially rectangular in form, having two pairs of opposed side walls on the ends of which are hinged top and bottom closure flaps swingable about their hinge lines to close the ends of the container. One pair of opposed flaps at the bottom end lies against the other pair in closed position, but outwardly thereof. Each of these outer flaps is provided with a fold line parallel to and spaced appreciably from its hinge line. The portions of the flaps between the hinge and fold lines may thus be folded upwardly against the inner flaps while the remaining portions swing relatively downwardly about the fold lines, and the {remaining portions may thereafter also be foldediipwardly to complete the closing of the bottom of the container.

Although containers of paperboard are cheap, light, easily. handled, and require a minimum of labor to use, their application to the packaging of relatively large and heavy articles, as for example washing machines, has been greatly limited by the difficulty of inserting such articles into preformed containers. Containers of wood or the like, although involving considerably more expense than paperboard containers, are commonly used because they can be built or formed as .crates or cases about the articles. While this requires considerable labor and greatly increases the shipping weight of the articles, it has heretofore been impractical to reduce packaging costs by employingpaperboard containers. The present invention, by providing simple, inexpensive apparatus, an eifective, easily practiced method, and a specially adapted paperboard container, affords a practical way by which large and heavy articles may readily be packed in upright position with a minimum of handling and without requiring any movement except in a horizontal plane. The problem has been solved by providing for the bottom closing of a paperboard container which is disposed over the article. The invention. therefore. clears the way for utilizing the advantages of paperboard containers in the packaging of large and heavy articles.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus for the bottom closing and sealing of paperboard containers for large and heavy articles without requiring lifting or tilting of the articles. Another object is the provision of apparatus for the bottom closing of paperboard containers of large and heavy articles which may be employed as an extension of the article production line. A further object is the provision of apparatus for the bottom closing of paperboard containers of large and heavy articles while in normal upright position and by movement thereof only in a substantially horizontal plane. Still another object is the provision of apparatus for folding upwardly into bottom closing position the inner bottom closure flaps of a container of a heavy article, or the outer closure flaps, or both the inner and outer bottom closure flaps.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a simple method for accomplishing the bottom closing of a heavy article container of paperboard or the like. A still further object is the provision of a method of efiecting bottom closing of a container by upward folding ofboth inner and outer bottom closure flaps thereof. An additional object is the provision of a method of closing bottom closure board container havingopposed bottom closure-i flaps thereof each provided with a fold line parallel to its hinge line so that it may be foldedv upwardly to bottom closing position in two steps.

Other and further objects, advantages;.-..andaf features of the present invention will- 'be ap' 1; substantially as indicated by the view line Ii of.Fig; 1; and.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical-sectional view taken substantiallyas indicated by the line 8'8 of Fig. 7. 7

Referring" to the drawings," the mechanism or apparatus |T"of the present embodiment" come prises, arroller'. conveyor arrangement of] four" aligned" sections supported inithesame horizontal plane by'isuitable frame'membersJsIIch as those indicated at l I and |2.'(Fi'gs; '7" and 8). The first :section" |3 may be" of any' suitable length, and has a.wi'dthlgreaterithanthecorrespondingdimensionof the. article to be packagedand of thecontainer therefor. The conveyor section |3..ha s agpair of gaps. |4 ,each providedbythe. omission; of one or. more rollers from the conveyor. The gapszarespacedg apart:lon i+ tudinally of'the. section I 3' a..distance; substantially equal to the correspondingdimension of the article container. The second section |.5of..

themechanism is. a. roller/conveyor of a..wifdth.

substantially less than. that ofl'the sectionfl3'.

and also less than the. corresponding, dimension.

of the container. This second section extends from the forward or. delivery. end. of the-first sectionfor adistanceless'than twice-the corresponding dimension. of the container.

The third section 6-.of.jthe conveyorassembly;

comprises. a. pair of. parallel. side. members or. rails 1 which are spaced. apart aidistance .somewhat greater ,than..the..width..of..theesecond vsection... I 5, and extend forwardly vfrom the,..delivery end. thereof. Theside rails. are...generally.

of. channel or. U. shapeai-n. cross-section. with. roller. elements I81 on.,shafts' |9...exten,ding be tween. the: upstanding-web-.portionsof the rails. On the outer;of these web portions, which preferably extendupwardlyw beyond the: inner. web portion, each of theeside rails has a pair of bearing brackets 20in which a rock-shaft 2| is rotatably mounted-having suitable; collars 22- positionedi-thereon to' hold it .qagainst longitudinal movement. Each shaft 2| extends rearwardly; of

the side rail l'l'on which'itismounted, parallel to. the sides of the section at the forward portion. thereof. Rigid-Ly: mounted.- on. the: rear portionof the.-shaft -2|, as by: means of lugs .or brackets23, is a.folding member.=24-of.substan.- tially the same. construction as the side rails, being of general'channel or Ushape and carrying.

roller: elements 25 on shafts 26'. .Thafldine.

,.distanceefrom.the ..side of the conveyor.

member 24 may be rotated or swung in an are by means of the rock shaft 2| between a position aligned with its associated side rail l1 and a retracted position outwardly and downwardly of the aligned position. This appears clearly from Fig. 8, in which the full line aligned position and dotted .line. retracted position I are both shown. The outer .web portion of the folding vmember 24 to which the rock shaft 2| is secured preferably .vextends somewhat above the top of the inner web portion, so that when the shaft 2| is rocked in.one1-directi'on to swing the member 24 to the retracted position the inner web portion and roller elements will. be spaced an appreciable When thev member. 24, is rotated into the full line position, the inner web portion is brought parallel and-relatively close tothe side of the conveyor,

, and the. roller elements 25 are at the height of the rollers of the conveyor section and the roller elements |8 of the side rails. IT. The rear ends of"? the folding '5 members are curved. or tapered oiflto provideiguide "portions '2 1 leading, inwardly; to the; spaces between the members 24.. and the sides of the section l5.

Means are provided foroscillating the. rock. shafts 2| to move the folding members. 24 to and from their. retractedpositions. As shown in Figs; 'Ian'd 8', these means in the' present case take the formpf arrotatable-shaftZ'B disposed transversely 'of the. third conveyor section; I6 be: low'the rockshafts 2|, extending through the frame members II; and journaled in suitable. bearings 29." A-pair of cranks 30 are-fixed on the shaft 28, one adjacent each end outwardly of the; conveyor frame. Each crank has pivotally connected toit the'lower. end of a connecting rod.

31 whichrextends upwardly to a point spaced. somewhat outwardly of one'of the rock shafts 21. Each ofthe shafts 2| has'fixed thereon a radially.

extending lever arm 32 the .outer end of. which is.

by aihand lever 39, shown in broken lines in pivotally connected tothe upper end of the adjacent connectingrod 3]. As. the shaft 28,- is turned'in; onedirection. or .the other, the cranks move the 'connecting'rods up or .down to rockthe shafts 2| by. means of .the.lever arms32. Thus the folding. members 24 are rotated. simultaneously-toward or fromitheir retracted positions, the rotation of the shaft 28 being limited to correspond to the desired movement of the members 24. The-limited rotation or:rockingr of the shaft 28 is shown asefiected by,,means of a cylinder. 33 toionegend or the other of which a. suitablefluid, such as compressed air, may be admitted through. conduits 34 from anappropriate source fjunder' control of suitable valve. means. (not.

shown: A p iston35;working; in thecylinderwith, a'piston'rod 36 extending through. one .endthere, of. may thus bemovedin.one;.direction or...the other: A crank or. lever arm, 31 is fixed. at one.

. end, onxtheshaft .28 and extendsradially there from, its other end being pivotedto the piston. rod." The shaft 28 is thus rocked from one of its limits of movement tothe other upon each stroke of the'piston 35. The extreme positions of the 1 lever arm 31 and crank 30 are indicated in Fig. 7.

Any'suitablemeans, such as the supporting plate 38 depending from one of the side rails l1, may be employed to dispose the cylinder 33 inv desired relation to the shaft 28 may be operated Fig. 8,.such lever being pinned orotherwise secured on the shaft. Of course, a pedal arrange-- ment or other operating. meansmay be pro vided if desired.

Between the side rails I! there is provided what is commonly termed in the art a plow flap folder 40, which spans the space between the rails and is formed of a pair of rod elements 4|. Each rod element has its rear portion disposed below one of the side rails at a point somewhat forward of the second conveyor section l5, and extends upwardly and inwardly toward the forward end of the third section H5. The rod elements thus extend substantially to the top of the section It and converge toward each other at the forward end thereof.

Extending from the forward ends of the side rails I! is the fourth conveyor section 42, adjacent the rear end of which the rod elements 4| converge. This section 42 is preferably wider than the third section l6, and may be substantially similar to the first conveyor section l3, but without the gaps [4.

As is evident from the drawings, all of the conveyor sections extend in substantially the same horizontal plane. They may of course be considered as separate though continuously arranged conveyors rather than sections of a single conveyor. The folding members 24 are in effect rearward extensions of the side rails I1, so that the third section It may be considered as in partially overlapped relation with the second section I5.

The operation of the apparatus may perhaps best be explained by a description of the packaging of a relatively large and heavy article, for example a household clothes washing machine, in the paperboard container 43 of this invention, best shown in Figs. 2 to 6. This container is formed of paperboard of appropriate characteristics, and has four side walls 44 to define a tubular body the ends of which are closeable by flaps hinged on the ends of the side walls. At each end, inner closure flaps are carried by one pair of opposed side walls, and outer closure flaps by the other pair of walls. The top end of the container is shown as closed, only the outer top flap 45 being visible. The outer flaps 46 at the bottom of the container are provided with fold lines 4! parallel to and spaced from the hinge lines thereof to define marginal portions 48 extending the length of the flaps along the hinge lines. In the present case, the lines 4'! are creases provided during formation of the container. The inner bottom flaps 49 are shown as devoid of such lines, they may be providedif desired. In practice, it is actually more convenient to provide such crease lines in the flaps 49 than it is to omit them, and the fold lines 41 are therefore shown as applied to both the inner and the outer flaps.

The article to be packaged is disposed on a suitable base or frame such as that suggested in Fig. 2 and indicated by the reference numeral 5%, which has supporting portions 5| along opposite side edges thereof. The article itself is not shown, since it is not necessary to an understanding of the invention, and greater clearness in illustration is obtained by its omission. In some cases, the article may have an integral base portion of such construction that the separate base 50 need not be employed. The article on its base is placed on the first conveyor section I3 and moved therealong until it reaches a position between the gaps I4. The container 43, with its top closure flaps folded and secured to close the top end but with its bottom end open, is disposed over the article with the inner bottom flaps 49 depending through the gaps and the outer flaps 46 lying on the top of the conveyor, as indicated at A in Fig. 1. The condition of the container at this position A is shown more clearly in Fig. 2. Appropriate inner packing elements may be employed if desired. The article on its base and the container are then moved back and forth on the conveyor section l3 so that first one and then the other of the inner flaps 49 is folded upwardly as the side walls to which they are attached move over and past the roller defining the rear side of the rear gap and the roller at the front edge of the forward gap. The flaps are in effect drawn out of the gaps and swung upwardly beneath the base 53 to lie between the base and the rollers. The container with the article enclosed therein is rolled onto the narrow conveyor section [5, with the portions of the folded bottom flaps below the base portions 5| extending outwardly of the conveyor sides. The outer flaps 46 swing downwardly more or less into the planes of their side walls as they pass from the wide section I3. Between the forward end of the section I3 and the rear ends of the folding members 24, at the position 13 indicated in Fig. 1, suitable adhesive is applied to the inner surfaces of the outer flaps 46, as by swinging the flaps upwardly and manually brushing the adhesive over the exposed inner faces. This is shown clearly in Fig. 3, which corresponds to position B of Fig. 1, the applied adhesive being indicated by the stippled area.

The outer flaps are then allowed to swing back to their depending positions, and the folding members 24 are moved to retracted position if they are not already retracted. The container is advanced toward the third conveyor section IS, the flaps 46 entering the spaces be-.

tween the members 24 and the sides of the section H5. The guide portions 21 assure such movement of the flaps into the spaces without catching on any part of the apparatus. The folding members 24 are thereupon operated by the means described to swing upwardly and inwardly, causing the marginal portions 48 of the flaps to be folded upwardly against the inner flaps beneath the supporting portions 5| of the base 56. The remaining portions of the flaps 46 swing reversely along the fold lines 41, ordinarily engaging against the sides of the conveyor section 15 and being prevented thereby from moving upwardly. This operation will be clear from Fig. 8, which shows the container at the position C in Fig. 1. The condition of the container will appear from Fig. 4, which shows the positions of the container parts after the partial folding of the outer flaps at position C. It will be noted from Fig. 8 that the roller elements 25 of the folding members 24 support the container from beneath the marginal flap portions 48, which in turn lie below the base portions 5i. In this position, as already pointed out, the folding members 24 are aligned with and act as extensions of the side rails I! of the conveyor section l6.

After the partial folding of the flaps 46, the container 43 moves over the forward end of the conveyor section I5 onto the side rails ll of the third section I6, which continue to support the container from below the flap portions 48 in the same manner as the folding members 24. The central support of the container from beneath the inner flaps provided by the second conveyor section 15 is of course removed or ended as the container passes off that section,but unfolding-ofthe inner flapsewjis prevented by the portions 48 of-the outer flaps lying thereunder. As the third section [6 is open between the side rails,- it-presents no obstacle to upward folding of the remaining portions of the outer flaps 48 against the inner flaps. Thefolding of these flap portions to complete the closing of the bottom'of the container may be accomplished in any desired manner, but'in the present case is effected by the plow flap folder G8. The flap portions are of course'disposed within the open space between the side rails. The forward D tion .of this space is closed or blocked by the rod elements 4! so that as the container moves to and beyond the position D in Fig. l, the leading edgesv of the flaps come into engagement with the rodelements. Because of the upwardly angled disposition ofthe rod elements, the unclosed portions ofthe flaps 45 are folded up along the lines 4'! asthey move forwardly over the folder G0. The converging relation of the rod elements 4! facilitates this upward folding.

The'actionof the folder on the flaps, if not immediately clear, will be apparent from Fig, 5, Which illustrates the container 43 at position D.

As movement of the container continues, it is transferred from the third conveyor section Hi to the fourth section 42, and the leading edges'ofthe flaps d6 passfrom the folder til off the forward end of the third section to rollers of the fourth section, Which thus supports the container from under the entire area of the now closed bottom. On the fourth conveyor section, substantially in the position E of Fig l, the packaging of the article is complete. Although the container is completely closed, the flaps may not be entirely secured because of the adhesive not having set suificiently to effect such adhesion of theflaps as to prevent opening thereof upon lifting or other handling of the package. The container in its completely closed condition, as at position E, is shown in Fig. 6. The disposition of the container on the section d2 sub ects the bottom flaps to compression between the article and the rollers of the conveyor so as to hold them closed until the adhesive set sulficiently to perform this function independently. The fourth conveyor section 42 accordingl is of appropriate length to support the container for a period corresponding to the adhesive setting time while providing space for succeeding containers passin over the apparatus, or is supplemented by conveying means of any suitable type for carrying the containers from its delivery end with the bottom flaps held closed. The conveyor section 42 or any supplemental conveying means associated with it may be employed to deliverthe packaged articles to storing or shipping facilities.

The ap aratus may be arranged as an extension of the production line along which the articles are made or assembled. so that the p kaging operation may be a part of or 6011131111194- tion of the manufacturing process.

In many, if not most, instances, the width and breadth of the container are equal or almost equal. This permits either pair of bottom flaps to serve'as the outer flaps, since the gap 14 of the first conveyor section I3 can receive the opposed flaps of either pair. If all th bottom flaps are provided with the fold lines 41, therefore, no care need be taken to have any particular side of the article as the leading side, Afterapplication-f the container overthe article and folding of on pair of flaps under the 8 base. theother pair of flaps may befolded-jin two stages as already explained.

The present invention provides an effective and simple method of packaging relatively large and heavy articles in paperboard containers. By the present method, the article is enclosed in a paperboard container with a minimum of handling and without having to be lifted, 10wered, or tilted, remaining upright and being moved only in a horizontal plane. In carrying out themethod, the article is supported from below, as on a suitable conveyor, and is moved back-and-forth after the container is disposed over it from above, thereby causing one pair of the container bottom closure flaps (the inner flaps) to be folded upwardly beneaththear ticle by engagement with suitable folding means which do not interfere with the movement of the article and container. Such means are preferably part of the supporting means, as for eX- ample the gaps and the forward and rearward rollers thereof inthe first roller conveyor section of the above-described apparatus. The container and the article enclosed therein are supported from below the inner flaps after folding thereof. To get around the obstacle to folding of the outer flaps arising from the necessity of supporting the container from below, the outer flaps are folded in two stages, permitting a shift in the points or areas of supportso that in the second stage complete folding of the flaps m y be effected and the container bottom thus closed. This two-stage folding of the outerflaps is accomplished by supporting th container alon a central portion of the bottom without obstruction of the side portions adjacent the hinge lines of the outer flaps, and folding the marginal portions of the flaps along the hinge lines up against the inner flaps. Then the container is supported from beneath thes marginal flap'portions, central support being dispensed with to leave the central part of the container unobstructed, and the remaining portions of the outer flaps are folded upwardly to lie in the plane of the marginal portions and against the inner flaps. Securement of the flaps is accomplished by any suitable means, but preferably by dhesive applied to the inner surfaces of the outer flaps before folding thereof. After folding of the flaps to close the container bottom, the container is su ported from underneath so that the weight of the article within the container will press the flaps together to cause adhesion between the inner and outer flaps as the adhesive dries or sets.

It should be clear that many variations may be made in the apparatus, method, and container of this invention as disclosed hereinabove. For example, one or more of the conveyor sections may be slightly inclined instead of horizontal, so as to facilitate movement of the package, or may be power driven and have appropriate means for controlling and reversing the progress of the article and container. Other types of conveyors than those disclosed may be used, and the conveyor arrangement need not be rectilinear. Other arrangements for folding the inner bottom flaps may be provided than the gaps in the first conveyor section. Mechanical adhesive-applying means may be employed if desired. The folding members 24 do not necessarily have to carry the roller elements 25, and might be arranged to swing horizontally to fold the flap portions 48 upwardly. Again, the steps of the method may bevaried, as by folding the inner flaps otherwise than as described, or by folding the outer flaps in the same manner as the inner flaps. The container might be formed with only a single pair of opposed bottom flaps, adapted to overlap when folded. The fold lines 41 need not be creases formed in the manufacture of the container. Instead of the top closure flaps, the container may employ other closure means, as a flanged cap or panel, or other suitable cover means. Of course, still other changes may be made from the specific disclosure.

Since the illustrative disclosure of the present invention may be modified in many ways without departing from the scope of the inventive concept, it is not intended that the invention be limited otherwise than as required by the appended claims, with due regard to the spirit as well as the literal wording thereof.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for folding inner and outer bottom closure flaps of a substantially rectangular paperboard container beneath an article over which it is disposed in enclosing relation, which comprises a first roller conveyor having a pair of longitudinally spaced gaps therein, a second roller conveyor narrower than the first conveyor and arranged as a continuation thereof, a pair of folding members pivoted to swing to positions closely parallel to the sides of the second conveyor with the upper surfaces thereof substantially at the height of the rollers of the second conveyor, 2. pair of parallel conveying members extending from the delivery end of the second conveyor and spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the second conveyor and carrying roller elements, and folding means between the conveying members.

2. Apparatus for folding inner and outer bottom closure flaps of a paperboard container beneath an article over which it is disposed in enclosing relation, comprising a first roller conveyor of a width greater than the length of the inner fiaps and having a pair of gaps through which the inner flaps may depend for upward folding upon back-and-forth movement of the container and enclosed article on the conveyor, a second roller conveyor substantially narrower than the first conveyor and extending from the delivery end thereof, a pair of combined folding and supporting members carrying roller elements and disposed adjacent the side rails of the second conveyor and extending beyond the delivery end thereof, the side rails and members defining spaces for reception of the depending outer container flaps upon forward movement of the container onto the second conveyor, the members having rear portions pivoted to swing to positions closely adjacent the side rails to fold marginal portions of the outer flaps adjacent the hinge lines thereof upwardly against the inner fiaps and also having fixed forward portions adapted to support the container and article from beneath the folded portions upon movement of the container off the second conveyor, and folding means between the forward portions for folding the remaining portions of the outer flaps upwardly upon forward movement of the container on said forward portions of the members.

3. Apparatus for folding pairs of opposed bottom closure flaps of a substantially rectangular paperboard container beneath an article over which it is disposed in enclosing relation, comprising means for movably supporting an article with a container disposed thereover, a pair of members each arranged to engage one flap of one pair of opposed flaps for upward folding thereof under the article upon to-and-fro movement of the container, means for supporting the container centrally from beneath the folded fiaps' tions of the other fiaps upwardly upon freeing. of the container from the central supporting.

means.

4. Apparatus for folding hinged inner and out. or bottom closure flaps of a paperboard container beneath an article over which it is dis-- posed in enclosing relation, comprising a first roller conveyor of a width greater than the.

length of the inner flaps and having a pair of gaps through which the inner fiaps may depend for upward folding by to-and-fro movement of. the container and enclosed article on the first.

conveyor, a second roller conveyor of substantially less width than the first conveyor and extending from the delivery end thereof, pivotally mounted folding members operable to swing closely parallel to the sides of the second con-. veyor for folding marginal portions of the outer.

flaps adjacent their hinge lines upwardly toward the folded inner flaps, a pair of parallel convey- I ing members extending from the delivery end of the second conveyor spaced apart a distance corresponding to the space between the folded portions of the outer flaps, and folding means between the conveying members for folding the remaining portions of the outer flaps upwardly upon forward movement of the container on the conveying members from the second conveyor.

5. Apparatus for folding inner and outer bottom closure flaps of a paperboard container beneath an article over. which it is disposed in enclosing relation, which comprises a first roller conveyor having a pair of longitudinally spaced gaps therein, a second roller conveyor substantially narrower than the first conveyor and extending as a continuation thereof, a pair of combined folding and supporting members each positioned at one side of the second conveyor and having a conveying portion extending forwardly from the delivery end of the second conveyor and a pivotally mounted folding portion swingable to a position closely aljacent a side of the second conveyor rearwardly of the conveying portion, folding means between the conveying portions of the combined members, and means for supporting the container from beneath the folded bottom flaps thereof.

6. Apparatus for folding hinged inner and outer bottom closure fiaps of a paperboard container beneath an article over which it is disposed in enclosing relation, comprising means for movably supporting an article having a container disposed thereover with a pair of inner flaps depending from its bottom end, a pair of members each arranged to engage one of the inner flaps for upward folding thereof beneath the article upon back-and-forth movement of the container and article. means for supporting the container centrally at an area spaced from both of the outer flaps with the outer flaps in depending relation, means for folding marginal por-- I 1 tions of the outer flaps adjacent their hinge lines upwardly against the inner flaps, means for supporting the container from below the folded marginal portions only, and'means for folding the remaining portions of the outer flaps upwardly against the inner flaps.

7. Apparatus for folding hinged inner and outer bottom closure flaps of a paperboard container beneath an article over which it is disposed in enclosing relation, comprising means for movably supporting an article having a container disposed thereover with a pair of opposed inner closure flaps dependingfrom its bottom end, a pair of members each arranged to engage one of the inner flaps for upward folding thereof beneath the article upon back-and-forth movement of the container and article, means for supporting the container centrally at an area spaced from both of theouter flaps with the outer flaps in depending relation, a pair of folding members pivotally mounted to swing to positions adjacent the central supporting means for foldin upwardly marginal portions of the outer flaps adjacent the hinge lines thereof, a pair of spaced supporting members for supporting the container from beneath the folded marginal flap portions only, and means for folding the remaining portions of the outer flaps upwardly while the container is diEDOSB'd on the supporting members.

' 8.'Apparatus for folding a pair of hinged opposed bottom closure flaps of a paperboard container beneath an'artiole' over which it is disposed in enclosing relation with the flaps depending below the pla'ne'of the article bottom, which'comprises means for supporting the article centrally from below in spaced relation from both of the flaps, pivoted folding members swingable to positions closely adjacent the supporting means for folding marginal portions of the flaps adjacent their hinge lines upwardly under the article, members for supporting the article from below the folded marginal flap portions only, and means for folding the remaining portions of the flaps upwardly.

9. Apparatus for folding hinged inner and outer bottom closure flaps of a paperboard containerbeneath an article overwhich it is disposed, comprising means for folding the inner flaps upwardly beneath the article, means for supporting the container from below the folded inner flaps at an area spaced from both of the outer flaps, means for folding marginal portions of the outer flaps adjacent their' hinge lines upwardly against'the inner flaps, means for supporting' the container from below the folded marginal portions only, and means for folding the remaining portions of the outer flaps upwardly against" the inner flaps.

10. Apparatus for folding hinged inner and outer bottom closure flaps of a paperboard container beneath anarticle over which it is disposed, comprising means for folding the -inner flaps upwardly beneath the article, in'ea'ns' for supporting the container and enclosed article centrally from below the folded inner flaps at'an area spaced from both of the outer flapsfia'pair of folding members each spaced outwardlypf the supporting means and defining therewith a space for receiving one of the outer flaps, said folding members being mounted for rocking movement to fold marginal portions of the outer flaps adjacent their hinge lines inwardly and upwardly against the-inner flaps, a pair of spaced parallel supporting members for supporting the container from below the folded marginal flap portions only, and means for folding the remaining portions 'of' th outer flaps upwardly against the inner fiaps'to 'close the bottom of the container. v

RUDOLPH 'EJOHRN.

References Cited in thefile of this patent- UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 7 2,234,162 Anderson Mar. 11, 1941 2,252,435 Lust Aug. 12, 1941 2,348,650 Rose May 9, 1944 2,415,292 Lamb et a1 Feb. 4, 1947 2,444,895 Ringler July' 6,-1948 

